Your Observer

Jen Blanco
May 28, 2013

Rams hold off Seminoles

The Riverview High football team held off Southeast's second-half surge to edge past the Seminoles 42-35 in its spring game May 24.

East County
Sports

Mallory Gnaegy
May 28, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: BKYC Memorial Day

Red, white and blue outfits were par at Bird Key Yacht Club on May 27 at Bird Key Yacht Club. Members donned their best stars and stripes and enjoyed a favorite American pastime perfect for memorial day: enjoying barbecue with friends.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 28, 2013

Mar Vista application to go back to planning board

Many Village residents who live within 500 feet of the site weren't properly notified about the application.

Longboat Key
News

Roger Drouin
May 28, 2013

Street teams program marks one year

The program has helped 63 homeless people find housing and employment.

Sarasota
News

Jen Blanco
May 28, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch vs. Naples Lely

Lakewood Ranch High defeated Naples Lely 21-0 in its spring game May 24.

East County
Sports

Mallory Gnaegy
May 28, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: SYC Memorial Day

Sarasota Yacht Club helped celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 28 as if it were any other day at the pool - but with the help of live music, a bounce house and an inflatable slide. Children had their faces painted, and even some adults, too.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
May 28, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Key Club Memorial Day

Longboat Key Club and Resort threw its usual Summer time beach barbecue Sunday, May 26, but since it was Memorial Day weekend, a lot more people donned red, white and blue. There was live music and Key Club served summer staples to the families in attendance: burgers, hot dogs, watermelon - and even red, white and blue chocolate covered strawberries.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Josh Siegel
May 27, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Christian School Commencement

Sarasota Christian School held its commencement May 24 at Bahia Vista Mennonite Church.

Sarasota
News

Josh Siegel
May 27, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Keep Manatee Beautiful Golf Tournament

Keep Manatee Beautiful held its 19th Annual Golf Tournament May 24 at Tara Golf & Country Club. The event, the nonprofit organization's biggest fundraiser of the year, featured a putting contest, closest to the pin contest and a raffle.

East County
News

Josh Siegel
May 27, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Lexi Paw Pals Benefit Concert

The Gene Witt Elementary 'orff'estra and chorus performed a special concert May 23 for Lexi Brown, a classmate who was killed in January by her father. Brown, a fifth grader at Gene Witt when she died, played the steel drum and soprano xylophone in the school's after-school musical group.

East County
News

Pam Eubanks
May 27, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Tribute to Heroes Parade

East County residents honored fallen military members and veterans Sunday, May 26, during the Tribute to Heroes Parade on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

East County
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
May 26, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Emanu-El Splash Shabbat

Members of Temple Emanu-El brought their children to the synagogue Saturday, May 27, for the annual Splash Shabbat. Children enjoyed playing in the water before enjoying breakfast, and a Shabbat service followed.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
May 24, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Chamber Golf Tournament

Members of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce met Friday, May 24, at the Longboat Key Club, for the 25th annual Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament. Members played a round of golf before heading into the clubhouse for a luncheon and awards.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
May 24, 2013

Redeveloped property at Fruitville and 301 sells

Wayne Ruben sold the property at Fruitville Road and U.S. 301 that leases to Bank of America and is in the process of closing on the adjacent property Staples leases.

Sarasota
News

Eddie Kirsch
May 24, 2013

May 24: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Sarasota crime drops more than sixteen percent in 2012; Sarasota waterfront home sells for $4 million; Patron Saints: Dennis and Grace McGillicuddy; Popcorn Bob's Movie Magic

Longboat Key
News

Eddie Kirsch
May 24, 2013

2013 FCAT scores released

The Florida Department of Education has released the results of the 2013 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test 2.0

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
May 24, 2013

Eat Here Sarasota reopens after small electrical fire

The restaurant was closed for several days for repairs, but reopened Thursday, May 23.

Sarasota
News

Jen Blanco
May 24, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Cardinal Mooney versus Braden River

The Cardinal Mooney High football team defeated Braden River 32-13 in its Spring Game May 23.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
May 24, 2013

Youth baseball tournaments coming to Sarasota

Prospect Wire will host its Florida state finals for four age groups of high school baseball players June 8 through 12, at Ed Smith Stadium and the Buck O'Neil Sports Complex.

East County
Sports

Mark Gordon
May 24, 2013

Sarasota waterfront home sells for $4 million

Sale of a 5,352-square-foot home is the largest on Bird Key since July.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Josh Siegel
May 24, 2013

Manatee commissioners get briefed on 44th Avenue East extension project

County staff says the long-planned road project will cost $112 million and is still eight to 12 years out from completion.

East County
News

Eddie Kirsch
May 24, 2013

Sarasota crime drops more than 16% in 2012

Sarasota County crime dropped more than 16% in 2012 compared to 2011.

Sarasota
News

Yaryna Klimchak
May 23, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY : ODA Crossing the Mulch

Second graders at Out-of-Door Academy crossed the mulch Thursday, May 23 as a symbolic gesture of the lower level entering the higher-level building next year. Third graders crossed the mulch on Tuesday, May 21 but the second graders - next year's third graders - will be the first second graders to cross the mulch and be in the new building. Out-of-Door Academy donated the left over food to the Salvation Army. Approximately 38 children played games and later crossed the courtyard as parents snapped photographs.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Eddie Kirsch
May 23, 2013

May 23: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: New roundabouts planned for U.S. 41; Village crosswalk lighting receives green light; Pastry Art owner passes the cup; No laughing matter: Pam McCurdy

Longboat Key
News

Yaryna Klimchak
May 23, 2013

Sarasota Farmers Market sells raffle tickets for big prizes

The Sarasota Farmers Market is selling $10 raffle tickets through the end of June to collect funds for the market and to give market goers a chance to win a prize.

Sarasota
News

Robin Hartill
May 23, 2013

Key population grows by 1.04%

The latest Census data shows that Longboat Key's population grew slightly between 2011 and 2012.

Longboat Key
News

Josh Siegel
May 23, 2013

Manatee Superintendent keeps parents informed of budget message

After announcing the elimination of more than 250 jobs for next year, Manatee County Schools Superintendent Rick Mills directs principals to make the district's financial recovery plan available to parents.

East County
News

Observer Staff
May 23, 2013

Jolly good fellow

Just as Observer advertising representative Bob Lewis loves to garden, he also cultivates relationships with all of his co-workers and clients.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 23, 2013

Going for the gold

Sisters Francesca and Elizabeth Martel returned victorious Monday, May 20, after a weekend at the Special Olympics of Florida State Summer Games, in Orlando.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Roger Drouin
May 23, 2013

Pastry Art owner passes the cup

After owning Pastry Art for five years, Forrest Shaw sold the cafe to Chip and Katie Beeman, who own two local eateries, Main Bar, in Sarasota, and Katie's Cafe, in Bradenton.